Terminal for batteries and the like



Nov. 30, 1 926. 1,608,494

c. P. DEIBEL TERMINAL FOR BATTERIES AND THE 1.1IKE

Filed Feb. 19. 1925 f/m/ew/w" w @m ,2?

a wsa NAM [fl Vii Patented Nov. 30, 1926.

UNITED STATES meant PATENT creme.

cvrarn r. nninnn or vounesrown, onro, Assistance T Twin nnv cnLL TERYCOMPANY, or CLEVELAND, care, A conclusion or OHIO.

TERMINAL non BATTERIES; AND THE LIKE.

Application filed February 19,1923.

This invention relates to a terminal for use with electrical devices ofthe kind wher in the terminal is embedded in a body of hardenedmaterial, and it also embraces the method of emplacing or properlypositioning the terminal within the material while the latter is in aplastic condition, the material after it hardens serving to support andniiaintain the terminal in place.

The invention is especially suitable for use with so-called dry-cellbatteries, particular- 17 of the type known as. twin dry-cell batteries,examplesofwhich are found in the patent to Herbert R. Palmer, No.1,271,933, and in my prior application, Serial No. 612,282, filedJanuary 12, 1923, which covers process of producing batteriesparticularly of the type referred to. From this reference to twindry-cell batteries, it is not to be taken that the invention isiin anyway limited to use with batteries ofthat class. A battery of a similarnature in connection with which the present invention is as well adaptedfor use is shown in the joint applicationof myself and lValter G.lVaitt, Serial No. 602,939, filed November 2%, 1922.

Another class of devices wherewit h my invention maybe advantageouslyemployed is that of electrical heating units of the embedded type, i..e., of the type wherein the resistor element is encased in a suitableembedding,material, the invention providing a terminal which may beconnected to a flexible conductor andadjusted to proper positio-n whilethe embedding material in a plastic condition and which will be held insuch position by the material after it hardens. A

In applying terminals to the elements of ele :t-ricai devices of thecharacter mentionec es ecially batteries, it has been the practiceheretofore to rigidly secure, usually by cider-trig, the terminal orbiiiding'post to the element Unless considerable 'slrilh is "iloyedi'l'j-f tiifl fipi, the connection,- and i its disturbance,

and caution taken to avoiddeformedormi, lements, it veryfrequently'happens minal is out of proper'position crooked, whichimpairsitheiappearance and, ,to, that extent at: least,.the value of thebattery or otherelectricalQdevice.

It is the aim of my present invention to provide a simple andinexpensive terminal which ma -i. be. connected, ,t'hrough a flexibleanodes I4 and 5,

Serial No. 619,823.

conductor, to an electrode or electrodes of a battery, and embedded inand supported and maintained in proper position by a suitable scalingcompound which may be poured into the. battery while in a semi-fluidcondition and which will permit adjustment of the terminal to itsultimate position while the com pound is in plastic condition; or, inthe case of electrical heating devices or the like, may be similarlyconnected to the resistor and likewise embedded and adjusted within themass of embedding material.

y the use of such a terminal and the method of emplacing it, themanufacture of batteries or o'her electrical devices is great- 1yfacilitated, expedited and accordingly cheapenedi More limited objectsare to provide a terminal incorporating a flexible conductor and havingone or more wings or other anchorage parts which, when embedded withinsuitable hardened material, will effectively maintainthe terminal in, aproper fixed position; and to produce such a terminal the employment ofa binding post having a grooved or slotted head within the bifurcationor slot whereof a tin anda flexible conductor are soured by suitablemeans, by a deposit of solder.

These objects, with others hereinafter appearing, are attained in theconstruction illustrated in the accompanying drawing and realizedthrough the method hereinafter set forth.

In the drawing, Figs. 1 and 2 are frag Inentary perspective views of abattery equipped with a terminal constructed and emplaced in accordancewith my invention, Fig. 1 showing the finished battery, while Fig. 2illustrates it prior to being sealed; Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspectiveview of thetrminal; Fig. 4 is asimilar view showing the parts of thecterninal in separated condition"; and Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional detailsof the terminal showing it embedded.

Briefly, the batte qv wherewith have elected tojshow my improvementsassociated comprises a container 1 which is filled to Within a suitabledistance of; its top with electrolyte or mi'x, designated 2, and withinwhich are compresseda cathode 3 and the battery being of the socalledtwin type.-

3 its. present prefer d form, int-4 proved terminal comprises-a bindingpost 10 having a head 11 that is slotted or grooved at 12 for thereception of a fin 13 and a flexible conductor 14. The central. portionof the fin 13 is inserted within the groove or slot 12 and the conductor14, which may be in the nature of a soft copper wire, is laid into thewidened end of the groove and a quantity of solder is deposited at thejunction of the conductor and head and flows about the same and into thegroove or slot, binding the ductor 14 to the head after the solderhardens. The deposit of solder is indicated at The cathode 3, which, inthe present form of battery, consists of a fist bar of carbon, isprovided with a binding post 20, and by reason of the stable characterof the cathode, the rigid connection of the binding post 20 thereto, andthe method of assembling the parts'as disclosed in my prior applicationSerial Flo/612,232, hereinbefore referred to, the proper position andalignment of the binding post 20 is assured. However, this is'not trueof the binding post or posts of theanodes, as heretobefore connected,because the anodes, being composed of pliable material such as sheetzinc, are easily deformed and their positions readily shifted within themix enough to throw the binding post or posts out of proper alignment.

These difiiculties are entirely avoidedby the use of'my improvedterminal and the method of emplacing it. In applying the terminal to theanodes, the ends of the conductor '14 are secured to the respectiveanodes 4 and 5, as by solder 21. The battery is then sealed by pouringinto the upper end of the container a quantity of sealingconr pound,indicated at 22, which encases the ends of the anodes 4 and'5,theconductor 14, and the head 11; and while the sealing compound is inplastic condition, the binding post or terminal 10 may be adjusted toproper position and into parallelism with the terminal or binding cost20 with the flat surface ofthe head 11 slightly above the surface ofthesealing compound. ing' compounch'when it hardens aboutthe conductor 14and the fin 13, efieetively'imprisons these parts so that the terminalor binding post 10 is held in a fixed position.

V The usual thumb nuts 25 are appl ed to the terminals or binding posts10 and 20. The relatively broad surface of the fin 13 very 'eifectivelyholds the binding post 10 against turning in the hardened sealingcompound when the nutis manipulated to 60. clamp a wire or otherconductor between the lower end thereof and the adjacent flat face ofthe head 11.

While I have described in detail the present preferred embodiment of theinvention, it will be understood that changes andalterations may be madewithout'departing from fin 13 as well as the con- The seal-' effectintimate electrical connection between said terminal and one of theelectrodes of a cell.

2, A terminal for dry cells comprising a shank portion and a headportion adapted to be embedded within the sealing material of the cell,said head portion having a fin rigidly secured thereto adapted tointerlock with the sealing material to prevent relative movement betweenthe terminal and the sealing'medium, a flexible conductor rigidlysecured to said head portion and adapted to connect said terminal withone of the electrodesof a cell.

3. A terminal for use with electrical devices of the character describedhaving a head, the head being provided with a transverse groove, a 11extending laterally through said groove, a flexible conductor, and meanssecuring the fin and a part of said conductor within the groove.

4. A terminal for use with electrical devices of the character describedcomprising a threaded shank which terminates at one end in a head thatis adapted tobe encased within embedding material, said head having atransverse groove that is substantially in axial alignmentwith theshank, a fin extending through said groove, a flexible conductor in thenature of a wire engaged within the outer end of the groove, and adeposit of solder holding the conductor and fin within the groove andeffecting intimate electrical connection between the conductor and thehead. 7 r

5. In combination with a battery cell in volving a cathode and anodesdisposed on opposite sides of the. cathode, a terminal incorporating aflexible conductor ha. ing its opposite ends connected to the respectiveanodes, and a hardening sealing compound closing the battery andencasing the flexible conductor and a part of the terminal andsupporting and maintaining the terminal in proper position, the flexibleconductor permitting relative adjustment between the terminal and anodesbefore the sealing compound hardens. 7 Y

6. In combination with. a battery cell involving a cathode and anodes. dpo ed on lSi) - sealing compound and a head extending therebelow towhich the flexible conductor is connected, the head having a lateralextension coacting with the sealing compound to resist displacement ofthe terminal, the flexible conductor permitting relative adjustmentbetween the terminal and anodes before the sealing compound hardens,

7. A terminal for dry cells comprising a threaded shank terminating atone end in a head portion adapted to be embedded with in the sealingmaterial of the cell, said head portion havlng a recess therein and afin secured in said recess and extending out: Wardly from said head andserving to pre vent rotation of said terminal with respect to saidsealing material and a flexible conductor rigidly connected with saidhead portion and efi'ecting intimate electrical connection between saidterminal and one of the electrodes of said cell.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affiX my signature.

GYRIL P. DEIBEL.

